A Cameroon-based biodiversity conservation and sustainable development non-profit Organization, Voice of Nature (VoNat), has kick-started a project that will mentor over 50 children in the Mount Cameroon Area to independently develop and implement micro projects that will contribute to conserving endangered species and solving environmental challenges in their communities. The project was unveiled in the month of October 2023 in GHS Buea Rural, after a series of consultative meetings with some administrative authorities and some local leaders.
The 10-month project aims to sustain the conservation passion generated in the children and young adults by previous conservation actions of VoNat, and to put the youngsters at the frontline of conservation efforts and environmental actions in their communities. Over 70 community kids, 3 community leaders and 4 members of the VoNat project implementation team took part in the project launch. The VoNat project team raised awareness about the new project to the admiration of the youngsters and community leaders.
“It is really important that the children learn and get to know the importance of the environment and how to protect it to avoid destructions in the future. Last week, we had a heavy storm which destroyed roofs of houses and schools but our school was saved by the trees planted around. I am so excited that your organization, VoNat, has chosen our community to carry out your environmental activities,” Mr. Mafani Pecos, principal of GHS Buea Rural said.
Mr. Maliva Nganje, an indigene of the Mount Cameroon Area was particularly impressed with the approach of engaging children in conservation actions. “It is good to work with the young minds around this protected area to educate parents and the community that it is good to protect and preserve the environment for future use. Protecting the environment also means protecting the biodiversity and culture of the Bakweri people. I am so happy VoNat is coming up with this great initiative,” he disclosed.
Meantime, plans are underway to establish a network of children and young adults, who will be guided and mentored to develop and independently implement up to 5 micro projects that will contribute to conserving endangered species in the Mount Cameroon Area and protecting the environment. The capacity of the pioneer members of this network will be built on resource mobilization, project writing and implementation. This, according to the Project Manager, is necessary for the sustainability of the network. The project is being implemented as part of VoNat species conservation programme, with funding from New England Biolabs Foundation.